Wheels caked in brake dust

[Jack!]

I've got some wheels caked in brake dust, I've tried using AG Tar Remover on them which did nothing.

Any suggestions on something to get it off that is really strong? Don't mind if it affects paint, the wheels will be getting a refurb once they're cleaned up anyway.

 

[George182]

Iron-x or Iron out

 

[Coby.]

As said Iron X, Iron Out, Dragons Breath etc.

 

[Budgie]

Iron X, Ferrous Dueller etc are the kind versions.

If you want something that does the trick and eats EVERYTHING on the wheels- wonder wheels from Halfords, or brick acid. Make sure you glove up for the last two as it's vicious stuff.

 

[Yellow Dave]

wonder wheels hot wheels can be found for a few £ in supermarkets.

If you really don't care for the paint, their are strong acid and alkali based wheel cleaners that will strip off most grime and brake dust but will more than likely damage the paint.

 

[Advikaz]

Brick acid I hear works well.

I used Cilet bang on my old c2 wheels as they were properly grotty.

 

[Inequality Street]

Iron X !

 

[Inequality Street]

If they're being refurbed, I assume they'll strip them first. Why bother?

 

[JD]

As above, don't bother. Acid strip and shot blasting (if done) will remove it. You're just wasting time, money and energy.

 

[Jack!]

The refurb will probably be a DIY job, because all the quotes I've had are ridiculous, and that place in Brum is too far for me.

Will Wonder Wheels do the business? Given that AG Tar Remover barely left a scratch, I thought I might be needing something with industrial strength; just how strong is Wonder Wheels?

 

[Oscar88]

a cloth and pressure from your finger with no chemicals other then good old H20 will remove all brake dust from all wheels. it's scary that nobody mentioned this. elbow grease didn't do anyone any harm!

 

[Coby.]

Scraping the brake dust back and forth is not ideal... Sandpaper will remove it but it's what damage you inflict whilst doing it that is the problem.

 

[Jack!]

a cloth and pressure from your finger with no chemicals other then good old H20 will remove all brake dust from all wheels. it's scary that nobody mentioned this. elbow grease didn't do anyone any harm!

They're not the standard Clio alloys though, they're Ultralaggeras, there are loads of nooks and crannies - If I can pay a tenner for some chemical to make the job take half the time, then I'd rather do that.

 

[Coby.]

Pics to show how bad it is

 

[Jack!]

I will do tomorrow when there's some better light.

 

[Daniel]

The refurb will probably be a DIY job, because all the quotes I've had are ridiculous, and that place in Brum is too far for me.

Will Wonder Wheels do the business? Given that AG Tar Remover barely left a scratch, I thought I might be needing something with industrial strength; just how strong is Wonder Wheels?

Why would tar remover remove brake dust??

 

[Jack!]

Why would tar remover remove brake dust??

It's a good point; I've seen it suggested before as useful for tidying up alloys, and it was convenient to just grab some from Halfords. I think it's Tar and Grime or something along those lines... I'd expect it to do something even if minimal.

 

[Daniel]

if it's caked on s**t, you want something with a strong acid content. I use neat acid in work and it genuinely fcuks if off.

Something like this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alloy-Whe...ssories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item3f2266bf43

 

[aucky]

Depends how caked. I had some track wheels off sir_dave that I got refurbed because the insides were literally like welding sl@g from metallic pads. Iron-x barely touched them!

 

[Daniel]

Like this; http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...ng-acid-vs-brake-dust&highlight=wheel+acid+vs

 

[Jack!]

Like this; http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...ng-acid-vs-brake-dust&highlight=wheel+acid+vs

That's impressive, get those results with the stuff you posted up on eBay?

 

[Daniel]

That's impressive, get those results with the stuff you posted up on eBay?

Should do.

I use stuff called 'descaling acid'.

It's horrible stuff but you only need to use it once. Spray on, pressure wash off, protect the wheels and then after that just use normal citrus based/other weak crap to clean them.

Acid is really only for properly neglected wheels.

 

[Jack!]

They're like that in pretty much every corner.

I take it given their complexity, they're going to be a bit of a b*****d to perform a DIY refurb on?

 

[Daniel]

Have you tried acid yet?

 

[Jack!]

No, was just getting up some photos like I said I would yesterday.

Acid shall be on order.

 

[Coby.]

Oooft they been used with some race pads??

If you're planning on refurbing them straight after cleaning I'd go with Daniels acid option, Iron-X would take a few heavy hits to remove that I'd say.

 

[Jack!]

Iron-X would take a few heavy hits to remove that I'd say.

And hence so would my wallet.

 

[Daniel]

If you're ever going by Bristol, pop in and I'll do them while you make my coffee and roll ups.

 

[Jack!]

Bought the exact stuff you posted Dan, and went at them, still didn't do the job. I think what's left on is properly baked on, like etched into the paint.

I know a CNC guy who does a lot of work with ally, so I'm going to see if he's got any contacts who can help me out with shot/sandblasting and powder coating.